Workers in Spain find huge Roman coin trove dating back to end of fourth century

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS|

Apr 30, 2016 | 12:16 PM

The coins studied so far bear images of emperors Constantine and Maximian, with a variety of pictorial images on the reverse.

MADRID — Workers laying pipes in a southern Spanish park have unearthed a 600-kilogram (1,300-pound) trove of Roman coins in what culture officials say is a unique historic discovery.

The Seville Archaeological Museum said the construction workers came across 19 amphoras containing thousands of bronze and silver-coated coins dating from the end of the fourth century. The coins are believed to have been recently minted at the time and had probably been stored away to pay soldiers or civil servants.

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Museum director Ana Navarro said the discovery Wednesday in the southern town of Tomares outside Seville is unique for Spain and of incalculable value. She said the coins studied so far bear images of emperors Constantine and Maximian, with a variety of pictorial images on the reverse.

A technician holds a coin from the Roman age at the archeological museum in the Andalusian capital of Seville, Spain. (MARCELO DEL POZO/REUTERS)

The regional cultural department said Friday that construction work in the park had been halted while archeologists investigate further.

The clay pots, 10 of which were said to be intact, were found just over a meter (yard) underground.

Some 19 amphorae, nine of which were retrieved fragmented, containing around 600kg of bronze coins from the fourth century AD were found by employees using earth moving machinery in an underground space covered by bricks and ceramic filler. (GOGO LOBATO/AFP/Getty Images)

The cultural department said the museum had no similar coins in its collection. Once the find has been fully investigated the pieces will be put on display in the museum.

The Romans began to conquer Spain in 218 B.C. and ruled until the fifth century.